Butterflies & Moths

White-marked Tussock Moth

(Orgyia leucostigma)

The caterpillars are striking with red heads, two long black "pencils" of hair, and four white tufts along the back.

The female White-marked Tussock Moth is completely wingless and never leaves the cocoon she emerged from.
The four white tufts on the caterpillar's back look like cotton balls and are made of very fine, dense hairs.
The "hair pencils" on the caterpillar can be "shot" out to irritate the eyes and mouth of any bird that tries to eat it.
The caterpillars are striking with red heads and four white tufts along the back that look like cotton balls.
The female moth is completely wingless and never leaves the cocoon from which she emerged.
The hairs of the caterpillar can cause an itchy, allergic skin rash in some people.